The Killer Clown: John Wayne Gacy


  1. Biography - basic information, but do focus on socio-economic background, family, experiences.

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March 17, 142 – May 10, 1994
Gacy’s father was alcoholic and often abused his children verbally and physically. Although Gacy continuously strove to pleased hi father, he failed to win his love or approval. His father degraded him, calling his son a “sissy,” “stupid,” and a “Mama’s boy.” When Gacy was nine years old, he was molested by a family friend. When Gacy turned eleven, he fell from a swing and hurt his head, from which he suffered blackouts. Gacy attended four different high schools but dropped out of all of them – he never graduated. Eventually, he enrolled in and graduated from Northwestern Business College.

  1. Victim profiles. Be general. That is, most serial killers have a profile that they prefer for obvious and not so obvious reasons.
Gacy admitted to more than 24 murders. He is known to have raped and murdered 33 boys and young men in six years. It is noticeable that he only killed young males.

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  1. Method of operation - information on stocking of victims, how murder may have been carried out, weapons, etc. Be selective in how much detail you provide here.
Gacy worked as a clown at children’s parties, so he could disguise himself. He would show magic tricks with handcuffs, then would ask the child to try, and put them in handcuffs. Then, once the child was captive, Gacy raped him and murdered him by chocking him with a rope or a board. After killing, Gacy buried the bodies under his house, and he could draw the map to the 28 graves under his house.